Password Reset Disk: Create Boot CD or USB

This guide shows you how to create a password reset disk on a bootable CD or USB drive for Windows. This disk lets you reset a forgotten Windows local account password without reinstalling the OS or using third-party tools. You’ll need a blank CD/DVD or a USB flash drive (8 GB or larger recommended), access to a working Windows PC, and the ability to boot from the disk on the locked machine.

What You’ll Need

• A blank CD, DVD, or a USB flash drive (at least 8 GB for the ISO, but 16 GB is safer).
• A working Windows PC (the same version as the locked PC, ideally) to create the disk.
• Internet access to download the Windows installation media or a recovery tool.
• If you’re using a USB, ensure it’s empty or you’re willing to erase it.

Step-by-Step

1. Download Windows installation media. On a working PC, go to Microsoft’s official software download page and download the “Media Creation Tool” for Windows 10 or Windows 11. Run it, accept the license, and choose “Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC.”
2. Create the bootable media. When prompted, select the language, edition, and architecture (64-bit recommended). Then choose either “USB flash drive” (select your USB from the list) or “ISO file” (save the ISO to your hard drive). If you chose ISO, you’ll need to burn it to a DVD using Windows’ built-in burner (right-click the ISO > “Burn disc image”) or use a tool like Rufus to write it to a USB.
3. Boot the locked PC from the disk. Insert the CD/DVD or USB into the locked computer. Restart it and press the boot menu key (often F12, F2, Esc, or Del) during startup to select the boot device. Choose your disk. If the PC doesn’t boot from it, you may need to change the boot order in BIOS/UEFI.
4. Open Command Prompt. Once the Windows Setup screen appears, press Shift + F10 to open a Command Prompt window. This is your key to accessing the system files.
5. Locate the Windows drive. In the Command Prompt, type diskpart and press Enter. Then type list volume to see all partitions. Note the drive letter (e.g., C:, D:) that corresponds to your Windows installation (usually the largest NTFS partition). Type exit to leave diskpart.
6. Back up the original utilman.exe. Type the following commands, replacing C: with your actual Windows drive letter:
   move C:\Windows\System32\utilman.exe C:\Windows\System32\utilman.exe.bak
   Press Enter. This renames the original Ease of Access utility.
7. Replace utilman.exe with cmd.exe. Type:
   copy C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe C:\Windows\System32\utilman.exe
   Press Enter. This makes the Command Prompt open when you click the Ease of Access icon on the login screen.
8. Reboot normally. Close the Command Prompt and the setup window, then restart the PC without the disk. Boot into Windows normally.
9. Open the Command Prompt via Ease of Access. On the login screen, click the Ease of Access icon (the little person with a clock or accessibility symbol). A Command Prompt window will open with administrator privileges.
10. Reset the password. Type the following command, replacing username with the actual account name:
    net user username newpassword
    Press Enter. You’ll see “The command completed successfully.”
11. Log in. Close the Command Prompt, then enter your new password to log in.
12. Restore utilman.exe. After logging in, open an elevated Command Prompt (right-click Start > “Command Prompt (Admin)”) and run:
    move C:\Windows\System32\utilman.exe.bak C:\Windows\System32\utilman.exe
    This restores the original accessibility tool.

Common Mistakes

• Wrong drive letter: Using the wrong letter when copying files can overwrite system files on another partition. Always verify with diskpart.
• Not restoring utilman.exe: Leaving cmd.exe in place is a security risk. Always restore the original file after resetting.
• Booting from the wrong device: If the PC doesn’t boot from the disk, you may have missed the boot menu key or the BIOS isn’t set to boot from USB/CD.
• Using a 32-bit disk on a 64-bit system: This can cause boot issues. Match the architecture.
• Forgetting to save the password: After resetting, write it down or store it in a password manager.

Tips

• Create the disk before you need it: This method requires a working PC to create the disk. Do it now, while you still have access.
• Use a USB drive: USB drives are faster and more reliable than CDs, and most modern PCs boot from them easily.
• Test the disk on a spare PC: If possible, test the bootable disk on a non-critical machine to ensure it works.
• Keep the disk safe: Store the disk in a secure place, as it can reset any local account on that PC.
• Use a Microsoft account? This method only works for local accounts. If you use a Microsoft account, reset the password online via Microsoft’s website.

Troubleshooting

• PC won’t boot from the disk: Enter BIOS/UEFI (usually F2 or Del) and change the boot order to put USB/CD first. Disable Secure Boot if it blocks the disk.
• Command Prompt won’t open with Shift+F10: Try pressing F8 or using the “Repair your computer” link in the lower-left corner of the setup screen, then choose “Troubleshoot” > “Command Prompt”.
• “Access is denied” when moving files: Ensure you’re running the Command Prompt as administrator. In the setup environment, it usually is, but if not, right-click and select “Run as administrator”.
• net user command fails: Make sure you typed the username exactly as it appears on the login screen. Use net user (without a username) to list all accounts.
• Can’t find the Windows drive: In diskpart, look for the partition with the “Windows” folder. It’s usually the largest NTFS volume.
• After reset, Ease of Access doesn’t work: You likely didn’t restore utilman.exe. Boot back into the disk, repeat steps 4-7, and this time copy the .bak file back.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this work on Windows 10 and 11?

Yes, this method works on both Windows 10 and Windows 11 for local accounts. The steps are identical.

Will this erase my files?

No. The process only replaces a system file temporarily and resets the password. Your personal files remain untouched.

Can I use a DVD instead of a USB?

Yes, you can burn the ISO to a DVD. The steps are the same, but booting from DVD may be slower.

What if I have a Microsoft account?

This method only works for local accounts. For Microsoft accounts, go to account.microsoft.com and use the “Forgot password” option.

Is it legal to reset a password this way?

Yes, as long as you own the computer or have permission from the owner. It’s a common recovery technique.

Can I use a third-party tool instead?

Yes, tools like Offline NT Password & Registry Editor exist, but the built-in method is free and doesn’t require additional software.

Related

• Google Pixel Battery Life: How to Make It Last Longer
• Clear Blocked Trackers List in Microsoft Edge
• Profit from Financial Statements: A Practical Guide